Patek Philippe History

Patek Philippe & Co is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in Geneva, designing and manufacturing timepiece watches including some of the most complicated mechanical watches. The Patek Philippe history dates as far back as 1839 and is considered one of the most prestigious watch brands, with previous owners including Queen Victoria among other international royalty.

Below are select important dates from the history of the Swiss watch maker Patek Philippe.

1800-1900

1839 - Patek, Czapek & Cie is founded in Geneva.

1844 - Antoine Norbert de Patek meets Jean-Adrien Philippe in Paris.

1861 - Patek joined with the French watchmaker Adrien Philippe to and Patek Philippe & Co was formed.

1851 - Patek Philippe present the smallest time piece in the world at the Great Exhibition in London.

1868 - Patek Philippe manufacture the first Swiss wristwatch.

1900-1970

1916 - The efforts of Patek's master watchmakers result in the first complicated ladies wristwatch.

1932 - The Stern family buy the Patek Philippe company and introduce the "Calatrava" watch.

1962 - Patek Philippe sets a new record in the Geneva Observatory competition.

1970-

1977 - The famous Nautilus collection is released.

1989 - Patek Philippe celebrates its 150th anniversary by making the most complicated watch in the world the Caliber 89. This watch is made up of 1728 unique parts and is able to add a day to February for leap years, including leaving out an extra day for every 100-year interval!